This week with all the big promotions and sales happening I wanted to give you a shortlist of a few things I use personally. Hopefully, you can take advantage of some of the great deals available.
Photography products I recommend
Following is a list of the products I highly recommend and use myself. See below for more detail and information on each. All prices are listed in USD.
- Luminar AI pre-order it for as low as $64 (bundles up to 50% off)
- DPM Texture pack – get 65% off (only $9 USD)
- Matt Suess Sky Packs – 50% off a bundle of three
- Smugmug – 40% off
- GoodSync – 35% off
- Blurb books – 50% off all books
- Amazon – sales vary by product
Have you had your eye on one or more of the items above and already know you want them? Then just click the appropriate link above and head to their respective websites to grab the ones you want now.
NOTE: Most deals expire Monday November 30th.
If you need a bit more information before you decide on each item, keep reading to see what’s a fit for you.
All the links in this article, above and below, are affiliate links. This means that by using my link to purchase the items, I do get a small commission but it costs you the same amount. Doing so enables us to keep this website going and to provide free articles to you on an ongoing basis.
#1 – Save on Luminar AI
I am a big fan of Luminar and if you haven’t already pre-ordered Luminar AI, I suggest you do so now!
Skylum has several different offers you can choose from in their Black Friday sale.
New to Skylum?
If you do NOT already own any of their products (Luminar 2018, Luminar Flex, Luminar 4, or Aurora HDR) you have these options and can save up to 50%.
This is a great way to get started with Luminar if you don’t already own a copy. I’d suggest the Plus Bundle which gives you 2 seats for both Luminar 4 and Luminar AI. That way you can start learning with Luminar 4 right away, and you’ll get Luminar AI on December 15th when it’s shipped.
OR if you want to try your hand at HDR choose the Max Bundle and you’ll get Aurora HDR as well for only $30 which is a great value.
Already own some Skylum products?
Are you still trying to decide if you’re going to upgrade to Luminar AI? Have you considered trying Aurora HDR as well? Well now is the time to act because I’ve never seen lower pricing on getting both!
You can get Luminar AI (1 seat) AND Aurora HDR for only $83.80 USD. That’s an amazing deal. Aurora HDR is regularly priced at $99 alone so Luminar AI is basically a bonus!
Or you can add in some sky packs or a photography course for a few more dollars. All at really deeply discounted prices.
Need more info? Check out the following:
- The New Luminar AI – the good, the bad, and is it for you?
- First Look Inside Luminar AI Photo Editing Software
Just make your decision before November 30th to save with the Black Friday deals.
If you have already pre-ordered Luminar AI, take a look at the next two items below which go together with Luminar very nicely!
This offer expires November 30th, 2020.
#2 – Save 65% on our Texture Pack
To go along with Luminar (4 or AI) we have put our Cuba Texture Pack on sale for 65% off – now only $9 USD! The regular price is $29 USD.
If you use Photoshop, you can use texture overlays in that program too. Just add them as a new layer, change the blend mode, and mask as needed. It’s just a lot quicker and easier in Luminar, but you can use either.
This offer expires December 1st, 2020.
#3 – Save up to 50% on Sky Packs
Both Photoshop and Luminar 4/AI now have sky replacement tools that make it easy to enhance your images. Matt Suess has THE highest quality sky and cloud images that I’ve found.
Right now you can buy all three of his cloud and sky kits and save over $150 (50% off) The images are extremely high resolution and image quality.
If you buy this bundle you will get:
- 45 spectacular desert sunset images
- 200 blue sky images (8200 pixels or 50MP)
- 60 extra cloud images (to use with Luminar’s Sky Augmentation tool or Photoshop)
- 400 additional sky images including sunny and stormy skies, lightning, night skies, and even the Milky Way.
- BONUS – Over an hour of training videos to help you use all your new sky images
The full retail value of the package including the training videos is over $650 so the deal is even sweeter.
I use Matt’s sky images with Luminar AI and I can give you my personal testimonial – they are great! Lots of variety of images, colors, daytime, as well as nighttime.
*NOTE: You need to use the discount code at the top of the page to get this deal, make sure you apply it when you place your order.
This offer expires November 30th, 2020.
#4 – 40% off SmugMug
In a recent photography project, I wrote about different ways you could make yourself a little online gallery of your images. SmugMug is by far the best option in terms of presentation.
It allows you to make really nice looking pages quickly and easily, sell your images or prints (if you have the Portfolio or Pro plan), backup your images, have private galleries, control downloads, and more.
SmugMug is what I use for my own photography gallery.
You can create your own page, add a blog component, add images, and have a gorgeous site of your own in less than 24 hours.
Use this link – CLICK HERE – to start your free 14-day trial now AND you will get 40% off the annual price. Get started for as little as $33 now!
The offer expires November 30th (you must sign up by then) and you must buy a plan by December 13th to qualify for the discount.
#5 – GoodSync save 35%
This is not specifically a photography tool but is one that is essential to my digital workflow and my overall backup plan.
Read this article for a more detailed outline of my process: Tips for Creating Your Best Photo Storage and Backup Plan
One of the things I recommend is to back up all your photos, documents, videos, apps, files, and everything onto a second external hard drive. To do that I use something called GoodSync.
NOTE: This is another one where you have to use the code to get the discount. I’ve indicated where to find it above.
This offer expires November 30th, 2020.
#6 – Blurb save 50% on photo books
Blurb is my go-to photo book company! They make stunning books at really affordable prices and they just got even better – now until November 30th save 50% off all photo books!
Bored at home again – make a photo book of some of your past travels and trips! This is something I have been meaning to do for years, maybe now is the time!
If you use Lightroom you can design it in the Book module. If not use Blurb’s own Bookwright software with built-in tutorials and drag and drop templates.
Can’t get out to the stores this year? Why not make a personalized photo book as a gift for family members and friends.
CLICK HERE to sign up to get an account and get started designing your books!
This offer expires November 30th, 2020, so you must place your book order by that date to get the sale price.
#7 – Amazon various deals
This is a short one because I am going to assume you know what Amazon is and you likely have your own wish list or items in your cart already.
Amazon has a variety of deals available this week for Black Friday and they seem to rotate and change every day. So check back often if there is something in particular you want.
CLICK HERE to see my list of recommended shopping items in various categories including cameras under $1000 for beginners, gear for night photography, flash equipment, and more.
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. You will not pay more when buying a product through these links.
All the links in this article are affiliate links which means that by using my link to purchase the items, I do get a small commission but it costs you the same amount. Doing so enables us to keep this website going and to provide free articles to you on an ongoing basis.
Bonus off-topic item
I want to mention one more item that is a bit off-topic but which is something I am passionate about – equal rights. If that resonates with you, read on to see how to get 5% off your ticket to a virtual online summit.
If you read my article a while back about doing photography for your mental health, you’ll know I’ve been photographing Indigenous and civil rights events for the last 3 months. I’ve met some amazing people and I know that my world has broadened and is a better place with a wider, more diverse group of friends in it.
The #MakeItAwkward Summit is focused on elevating the voices, skills, and teachings of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Their goal to equip the audience with tools to help them as they strive to create a more fair and equitable environment. Viewers will leave more empowered, educated, and confident.
We aim to help steer the conversation in a direction that will give the audience real and tangible experiences and techniques to be an active participant in moving the needle.
Hosted by Jesse Lipscombe and Stephanie Harpe (both people I know personally and can vouch for them both being awesome!), this summit will feature many world-renowned voices and performances in an action-packed and informational evening.
Jesse Lipscombe is an actor, activist, speaker and musician.
Stephanie Harpe is an international speaker, activist, and survivor dedicated to making real and lasting change in all she does.
There is a fabulous line-up of speakers including
- Jane Elliot – Internationally known teacher/lecturer/diversity trainer (famous for the brown-eyed, blue-eyed exercise)
- Comedian Sterling Scott (finalist in the San Francisco international comedy competition in 2013, winner of the Edmonton international comedy festival “young guns” competition 2013 and more)
- Ashley Callingbull – Mrs. Universe 2015, Genini award-winning actress, motivational speaker, winner of Top 20 Under 30 Award in Canada.
- Elder Elsie Paul – knowledge keeper of the Tla’amin (Sliammon) Nation, and a residential school survivor.
- Anthony Johnson – a self-proclaimed spiritual nomad, artist, poet, photographer, cultural documentarian, public speaker, and strategic analyst whose mission in life is to explore the beauty of the Earth and its inhabitants. (a man after my own heart!!)
- And more . . .
CLICK HERE to get more info and get a ticket.
To get the 5% discount you need to use this code: MIADAR. Click the green Tickets button and enter the code at the top of the pop-up box before you scroll down to choose your ticket.
HINT: If you’re in Canada make sure you choose the Air Canada ticket to be eligible to win airfare for 2 anywhere in Canada. Outside Canada, get the All-in ticket so you can get a replay link to watch it again later.
Hope to see you there!
Cheers,
